

error in action planning and execution (for example: slips or errors of execution versus mistakes or errors of intention ).error in problem diagnosis (also see problem solving).error in problem detection (also see signal detection theory).situation assessment versus response planning and related distinctions in.

exogenous versus endogenous error (i.e., originating outside versus inside the individual).

There are many ways to categorize human error: While human error is firmly entrenched in the classical approaches to accident investigation and risk assessment, it has no role in newer approaches such as resilience engineering. The study of absent-mindedness in everyday life provides ample documentation and categorization of such aspects of behavior. Human error and performance are two sides of the same coin: "human error" mechanisms are the same as "human performance" mechanisms performance later categorized as 'error' is done so in hindsight: therefore actions later termed "human error" are actually part of the ordinary spectrum of human behaviour. However, a mere failure is not an error if there had been no plan to accomplish something in particular. Logically, human actions can fail to achieve their goal in two different ways: the actions can go as planned, but the plan can be inadequate (leading to mistakes) or, the plan can be satisfactory, but the performance can be deficient (leading to slips and lapses). In short, it is a deviation from intention, expectation or desirability. Human error refers to something having been done that was "not intended by the actor not desired by a set of rules or an external observer or that led the task or system outside its acceptable limits".
